HLB acquires Galway accounting firm and plans to add 150 staff over next three years

Accountancy firm HLB Ireland is poised for major growth as it plans to add 150 people over three years and announced an acquisition in Galway. The company, which is part of Mentora Group, said it had bought Galway-based OMB Chartered Accountants for an undisclosed sum, adding 500 clients to its books. This deal represents HLB’s 13th acquisition, and its first west of the Shannon. The firm said the acquisition would bolster its presence in key sectors it is targeting for growth, such as food manufacturing, construction, medical devices and private clients. As part of the acquisition, HLB will get an established presence in Galway and a platform for future growth, while OMB clients will gain access to a wider range of capabilities.“Joining HLB Ireland and Mentora Group allows us to retain the personal service our clients value while giving them access to a much wider range of financial, advisory and technology expertise,” said John O’Beirn, partner at OMB Chartered Accountants. “It also creates exciting new opportunities for our people as we begin the next stage of our growth.”Mentora Group comprises HLB Ireland and IT managed service company FutureRange. It is on track to reach €30 million in revenues this year, a figure that has roughly doubled over the past 18 months. “This acquisition is about much more than establishing a presence in Galway. OMB brings an experienced team, long-standing client relationships and deep expertise across food manufacturing, construction, medical devices and private clients,” said Mark Butler, managing partner of HLB Ireland and chief executive of Mentora. The group has an ambitious growth plan for its Irish business, with plans to continue investing in its teams and deepen its specialist capabilities as it focuses on building an all-island professional services business.Mentora currently employs 200 people, and is backed by investment from Cardinal Capital.The company has been steadily growing its business in recent years, with a number of acquisitions that included medical consultant specialists NMH last year.